Interim Results
Murray Income Trust PLC
25 February 2004
Murray Income Trust PLC
Results for the six months ended 31 December 2003
The Directors of Murray Income Trust PLC report the unaudited interim results
for the six months ended 31 December 2003.
Key Facts
•Murray Income's Net Asset Value on a total return basis rose 14.3%.
•Share price rose from 416p to 441p.
•Second interim dividend of 4.5p will be paid on 5 April 2004.
Performance
The UK stockmarket continued to recover and during the six months to 31 December
2003 the Net Asset Value, on a total return basis, of Murray Income rose 14.3%.
This was marginally ahead of the total return from the benchmark FTSE 350 Higher
Yield index, which rose 14.2%.
Background
Although stockmarkets around the world enjoyed a good recovery in the second
half of 2003, as investor confidence returned and the economic outlook improved,
most remain well below their highest levels. In the UK, the economic news was
mixed. While the employment market is strong and wages are only growing slowly,
this coupled with higher taxes means that real incomes have been squeezed. In
addition, the level of government borrowing is exceeding targets and interest
rates are rising. Importantly, the dollar weakened against sterling and the euro
and this process, which has continued since the end of the year, could become a
cause of concern.
Activity
Turnover in the Trust was light, with the aggregate of sales and purchases
representing only 9.4% of average assets in the period under review. Three new
holdings were added to the portfolio. These were: Greggs, a bakery and sandwich
retailer; Wolverhampton & Dudley Breweries, a brewer and pub operator; and AGA
Foodservice, which manufactures kitchen equipment for the domestic and commercial
market. The biggest single transaction was within the Mining sector where the
holding in Rio Tinto was sold and the proceeds switched into BHP Billiton.
Gearing
The net purchases of £6m were largely funded by increasing borrowings by £5m to
£40m during the period. All of this debt is at floating rates and can be repaid
quickly without penalty.
Dividend
A first interim dividend of 4.5p, which is an increase of 5.9% on that paid in
the previous year, was paid on 16 January 2004 to holders of Ordinary shares on
the register at close of business on 19 December 2003. A second interim dividend
of 4.5p will be paid on 5 April 2004 to holders of Ordinary shares on the
register at close of business on 12 March 2004. Shareholders should note that
this dividend is being paid earlier than normal in order that those shareholders
whose shares are held within a PEP or ISA can benefit from a final opportunity
to reclaim a tax credit on the dividend payment. A change in the law means that
this will no longer be possible after 6 April this year. In line with the
comments made by Directors in the Annual Report, the third interim dividend will
also be 4.5p and will be paid on 16 July 2004 to holders of Ordinary shares on
the register at close of business on 18 June 2004.
Although over 20% of the Company's dividend income is received in US dollars,
which have fallen in value against sterling by 7.3% over the six months to 31
December, the strength of the revenue stream across the portfolio remains
secure. The Directors expect to be able to recommend an increase in the total
dividend payment from last year's level of 17.75p. This level of dividend is
expected to be fully covered by earnings and the Company's revenue reserve is
now close to one year's dividend payment.
Outlook
The UK economy is forecast to produce growth in GDP of approximately 2.5% in
2004, which is close to its trend level. This growth will be greater than that
produced in larger European countries but below that of the USA and many Asian
countries. There will be easing in the growth in consumer expenditure, in part
due to the higher burden of debt and the likelihood of further increases in
interest rates.
Valuations for UK equities remain realistic with the prospective P/E ratio of
almost 14 times for 2004. With corporate profits and dividends expected to again
grow in real terms, equities have the potential to deliver further capital gains
during 2004.
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN
(INCORPORATING THE REVENUE ACCOUNT)
Six months to 31 December 2003
(unaudited)
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Realised losses on investments - (729) (729)
Unrealised gains/(losses) - 38,732 38,732
-------- ------- -------
Gains/(losses) on investments - 38,003 38,003
Income from investments 7,637 - 7,637
Other income 57 - 57
Investment management fees (620) (620) (1,240)
Other expenses (462) - (462)
--------- ------- -------
Net return before finance costs 6,612 37,383 43,995
and taxation
Finance costs of borrowing (400) (389) (789)
--------- ------- -------
Return/(loss) attributable to equity 6,212 36,994 43,206
shareholders
Ordinary dividends on equity (6,318) - (6,318)
shares ---------- ------- -------
Transfer (from)/to reserves (106) 36,993 36,888
---------- ------- -------
Return per ordinary share (pence) 8.8 52.7 61.6
Notes:
1. The revenue column of this statement is the profit and loss account
of the company.
2. The financial information for the six months ended 31 December 2003
and 31 December 2002 comprises non-statutory accounts within the meaning of
Section 240 of the Companies Act 1985. The financial information for the
year ended 30 June 2003 has been abridged from published accounts that have
been delivered to the Registrar of Companies and on which the report of the
Auditors was unqualified. The interim accounts have been prepared on the
same basis as the annual accounts.
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN
(INCORPORATING THE REVENUE ACCOUNT)
Six months to 31 December 2002
(unaudited)
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Realised losses on investments - (19,054) (19,054)
Unrealised gains/(losses) - (60,191) (60,191)
--------- --------- -------
Gains/(losses) on investments - (79,245) (79,245)
Income from investments 7,265 - 7,265
Other income 80 - 80
Investment management fees (618) (618) (1,236)
Other expenses (419) - (419)
--------- --------- -------
Net return before finance costs and 6,308 (79,863) (73,555)
taxation
Finance costs of borrowing (448) (448) (896)
--------- --------- -------
Return/(loss) attributable to equity 5,860 (80,311) (74,451)
shareholders
Ordinary dividends on equity (5,967) - (5,967)
shares --------- --------- -------
Transfer (from) /to reserves (107) (80,311) (80,418)
--------- --------- -------
Return per ordinary share (pence) 8.4 (114.4) (106.0)
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
STATEMENT OF TOTAL RETURN
(INCORPORATING THE REVENUE ACCOUNT)
Year ended 30 June 2003
(audited)
Revenue Capital Total
£'000 £'000 £'000
Realised losses on investments - (35,502) (35,502)
Unrealised gains /(losses) - (38,609) (38,609)
--------- --------- -------
Gains/(losses) on investments - (74,111) (74,111)
Income from investments 15,854 - 15,854
Other income 187 - 187
Investment management fees (1,210) (1,210) (2,420)
Other expenses (865) - (865)
--------- --------- -------
Net return before finance costs and 13,966 (75,321) (61,355)
taxation
Finance costs of borrowing (845) (845) (1,690)
--------- --------- -------
Return/(loss) attributable to equity 13,121 (76,166) (63,045)
shareholders
Ordinary dividends on equity shares (12,461) - (12,461)
--------- --------- -------
Transfer (from)/to reserves 660 (76,166) (75,506)
--------- --------- -------
Return per ordinary share (pence) 18.7 (108.5) (89.8)
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
BALANCE SHEET
31 December 31 December 30 June
2003 2002 2003
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£'000 £'000 £'000
Fixed assets
Investments 385,191 340,955 340,789
Current assets
Debtors 1,183 1,624 1,049
Cash and short-term deposits 2,164 3,853 4,652
--------- --------- --------
3,347 5,477 5,701
Creditors
Amounts falling due within one 37,121 16,815 36,961
year
--------- --------- --------
Net current liabilities (33,774) (11,338) (31,260)
--------- --------- --------
Total assets less current 351,417 329,617 309,529
liabilities
Creditors
Amounts falling due after more 10,000 30,000 5,000
than one year
--------- --------- --------
341,417 299,617 304,529
--------- --------- --------
Capital and reserves
Equity shareholders' interest:
ordinary called up share 17,551 17,551 17,551
capital
share premium account 7,955 7,955 7,955
capital redemption reserve 4,050 4,050 4,050
capital reserve - realised 264,737 283,912 266,475
capital reserve - unrealised 35,929 (24,385) (2,803)
revenue reserve 11,195 10,534 11,301
--------- --------- --------
341,417 299,617 304,529
--------- --------- --------
Net Asset Value per Ordinary 486.3 426.8 433.8
share (pence)
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
Six months to Six months to Year ended
31 December 31 December 30 June 2003
2003 2002
(unaudited) (unaudited) (audited)
£'000 £'000 £'000
Operating activities
Investment income 7,515 7,341 16,061
received
Deposit interest 51 56 164
received
Underwriting commission 4 27 26
received
Investment management (876) (1,669) (3,206)
fees paid
Secretarial fees paid (25) (42) (63)
Cash paid to and on (30) (27) (51)
behalf of directors
Other cash payments (455) (694) (1,190)
---------- --------- --------
Net cash inflow from 6,184 4,992 11,741
operating activities
Returns on investment and
servicing of finance
Interest paid (722) (911) (1,705)
Financial investment
Purchase of investments (37,467) (20,244) (50,471)
Sale of investments 31,012 15,117 51,157
---------- --------- --------
Net cash (outflow)/ (6,455) (5,127) 686
inflow from financial
investment
Equity dividends paid (6,494) (7,495) (13,464)
---------- --------- --------
Net cash outflow before (7,487) (8,541) (2,742)
use of financing
Management of liquid
resources
Cash taken off/placed 2,155 - (3,684)
on short term deposit ---------- --------- --------
Net cash outflow before (5,332) (8,541) (6,426)
use of financing
Financing
Loans drawn down 5,000 9,000 4,000
---------- --------- --------
Net cash inflow from 5,000 9,000 4,000
financing ---------- --------- --------
(Decrease)/increase in (332) 459 (2,426)
cash ---------- --------- --------
Note 1
The allotted ordinary share capital as of 31 December 2003 was 70,205,458
Ordinary Shares of 25p each.
Note 2
6 months to Year to
31/12/03 31/12/02 30/06/03
Dividends on ordinary shares
First Interim-4.5p paid on 16.1.04 3,159 2,984 2,984
(2003 - 4.25p)
Second Interim-4.5p payable on 5.4.04
(2003 - 4.25p) 3,159 2,983 2,984
Third Interim (2003 - 4.5p) - - 3,159
Final dividend (2003 - 4.75p) - - 3,334
-------- -------- ---------
6,318 5,967 12,461
-------- -------- ---------
Note 3
A summary of investment changes during the period and twenty largest investments
at 31 December 2003 are attached.
By order of the Board
ABERDEEN ASSET MANAGEMENT PLC, SECRETARY
25 February 2004
Copies of this announcement will be printed and issued to shareholders and will
be available to the public at the registered office of the Company, 123 St
Vincent Street, Glasgow.
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
SUMMARY OF INVESTMENT CHANGES
DURING THE PERIOD TO 31 DECEMBER 2003
Valuation
Valuation Appreciation/ 31 December
30 June 2003 Transactions (depreciation) 2003
£'000 % £'000 £'000 £'000 %
United Kingdom
Equities 340,789 100.4 6,398 38,004 385,191 101.0
------- ------ --------- ---------- ------- ------
Total Investments 340,789 100.4 6,398 38,004 385,191 101.0
Other net
liabilities (1,260) (0.4) (2,514) - (3,774) (1.0)
------- ------ --------- ---------- ------- ------
Total Assets* 339,529 100.0 3,884 38,002 381,417 100.0
------- ------ --------- ---------- ------- ------
* Represents total assets less current liabilities after excluding short-term
loans of £30,000,000 as at 31 December 2003 and 30 June 2003.
Valuation
Summary of net assets 31 December
----------------------- 2003
£'000 %
Equities 385,191 112.8
Other net assets (3,774) (1.1)
Borrowings (40,000) (11.7)
------ ------
Equity Shareholders' interest 341,417 100.0
------ ------
MURRAY INCOME TRUST PLC
TWENTY LARGEST INVESTMENTS
as at 31 December 2003
Sector Valuation % of
Investment Description £'000 Total Assets
BP Amoco Oil & Gas 45,300 11.9
HSBC Holdings Banks 36,876 9.7
Shell Transport & Oil & Gas 28,337 7.4
Trading
Barclays Banks 17,603 4.6
Lloyds TSB Banks 16,710 4.4
Royal Bank of Banks 13,975 3.7
Scotland
Aviva Life Assurance 11,913 3.1
Anglo American Mining 11,238 2.9
Diageo Beverages 11,025 2.9
BHP Billiton Mining 9,810 2.6
Standard Chartered Banks 9,594 2.5
GlaxoSmithKline Pharmaceuticals 8,533 2.2
J Sainsbury Food & Drug 8,240 2.2
Retailers
Great Universal General Retailers 7,571 2.0
Stores
Abbey National Banks 7,169 1.9
Imperial Tobacco Tobacco 6,820 1.8
Scottish & Southern Electricity 6,554 1.7
Energy
British American Tobacco 6,122 1.6
Tobacco
Land Securities Real Estate 5,978 1.6
Unilever Food Producers & 5,834 1.5
Processors ------- --------
275,202 72.2
------- --------
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